The Roots of Kruger's Downfall

Federal court documents from the case described a friendly relationship between Mr. Kruger and the chief executive of MediSys, a health-care network that includes Jamaica Hospital in Queens and Brookdale University hospital in Brooklyn.

The chief executive of MediSys sought the help of Mr. Kruger and Seminerio to help get approval in Albany for a hospital merger. At the time, MediSys and Parkway Hospital were vying to acquire two failing Queens hospitals, St. John’s and Mary Immaculate, according to testimony from the case.

“I need your help with that…you and Kruger together are my two, uh, my two guys,” MediSys chief executive David Rosen told Seminerio, according to transcripts from a 2008 wiretapped conversation.

Mr. Kruger was also trying to help Parkway Hospital acquire the two hospitals, according to testimony. No deal ever went through, and Parkway eventually closed along with Mary Immaculate and St. John’s.

Kruger was also accused of squeezing money from a Brooklyn night club owner.